Delusion: A persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence. (i.e. religion)

2008-03-12

Barack Obama Smear campaign

There are still a lot of shitty emails going out to the evangelical base. Filled with untruths and scare mongering. Some go almost to the point of calling him the antichrist.

For reference here is the stupid email:

Subject: The Obama Tidal Wave

We are witnessing a political phenomenon with Barack Obama of raremagnitude. His speeches have inspired millions and yet most of his followershave no idea of what he stands for except platitudes of "Change" or that hesays he will be a Uniterian. The power of speech from a charismatic persontruly can be a powerful thing. Certainly Billy Graham had charisma and bothhis manner of speech and particularly the content changed millions. On theextreme other hand, the charisma of Adolph Hitler inspired millions and theresults were catastrophic. Barack Obama certainly is no Hitler or a BillyGraham, but for many Americans out there feeling just like a surfer whomight be ecstatic and euphoric while riding a tidal wave, the real story iswhat happens when it hits shore.Just Some of What Defines Barack Obama:

He voted against banning partial " birth abortion.

He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.

Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government.

In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing.

Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as minimum wage affair.

Has said that one of his first goals after being elected would be to have a conference with all Muslim nations.

Opposed the Patriot Act.

First bill he signed that was passed was campaign finance reform.

Voted No on prohibiting law suits against gun manufacturers.

Supports universal health-care.

Voted yes on providing habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees.

Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants.

Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform.

Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security.

Wants to make the minimum wage a "living wage".

Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes.

Is a big believer in the separation of church and state.

Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and instead supports increasing the amount of tax paid.

He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax

He voted No on repealing the "Death" Tax

He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax.

Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not succeeded.

He is ranked as the most liberal Senator in the Senate today and that takes some doing.

If your political choices are consistent with Barack Obama's and you thinkthat his positions will bring America together or make it a better place,then you will probably enjoy the ride and not forward this Email. If youare like most Americans that after examining what he stands for, are trulynot in line with his record, it would be prudent to get off the wave orbetter yet, never get on, before it comes on shore and undermines the veryfoundations of this great Country. We have limited time to save America orthe Supreme Court as we know it. Inaction is action.

If you agree this is important, pass it on. The mainstream media will notdo it for you!

I did a rush response and I know I missed a few things but this irked me.

Quote:

Quote by: Stupid Email

Subject: The Obama Tidal Wave

We are witnessing a political phenomenon with Barack Obama of rare magnitude. His speeches have inspired millions and yet most of his followers have no idea of what he stands for except platitudes of "Change" or that he says he will be a Uniterian. The power of speech from a charismatic person truly can be a powerful thing. Certainly Billy Graham had charisma and both his manner of speech and particularly the content changed millions.

Oh geez Already a evangelical reference. I can see where this one is going

Quote:

Quote by: Stupid Email

On the extreme other hand, the charisma of Adolph Hitler inspired millions and the results were catastrophic.

Absolutely pointless reference used as a tool for scare mongering.

Quote:

Quote by: Stupid Email

Barack Obama certainly is no Hitler or a Billy Graham, but for many Americans out there feeling just like a surfer who might be ecstatic and euphoric while riding a tidal wave, the real story is what happens when it hits shore.

For further status information, call the Voter's Research Hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART (1-888-868-3762).

Sounds OK to me

Quote:

Quote by: Stupid Email

Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government.

In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing.

Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as minimum wageaffair.

Admitted marijuana and cocaine use in high school and in college.

His religious convictions are very murky.

The war on drugs has never worked, and never will work.Who gives a flying Fuck what his religious convictions are? Where does it say in the constitution that someone has to be a Christian to be president? It doesn’t. Even back during the penning of the constitution, it was generally known, that ones religion is kept to oneself.

Has said that one of his first goals after being elected would beto have a conference with all Muslim nations.

So what the fuck is wrong with talking? I thought that’s what leaders were supposed to do. Didn’t Reagan have a dialog with Gorbachev? I suppose this email is geared towards the "bomb first, ask questions later" crowd.

Quote:

Quote by: Stupid Email

Opposed the Patriot Act.

First bill he signed that was passed was campaign finance reform.

Voted No on prohibiting law suits against gun manufacturers.

Supports universal health-care.

Voted yes on providing habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees.

Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants.

Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform.

Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in SocialSecurity.

Wants to make the minimum wage a "living wage".

1 – Patriot Act was signed Oct 26, 2001 more than 3 years and 3 months BEFORE Obama was a senator.2 – Meaningless.3 – Nothing wrong with that.4 – Certainly nothing wrong with that.5 – nothing wrong with that6 – 10 couldn’t find anything on driving licenses but Bush has supported each and every measure outlined here with regard to illegal immigration. I place high doubt with regard to Social security – as I cant find a single bill that mentions this here11 – nothing wrong with that.

Quote:

Quote by: Stupid Email

Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes.

Is a big believer in the separation of church and state.

Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and insteadsupports increasing the amount of tax paid.

He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax

He voted No on repealing the "Death" Tax

He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax.

1 - Who gives a Fuck? The same can be said with any senator on both sides of the aisle.2 – Uhhhh, Its in the goddammed constitution you dumbasses.3 – I agree – Why would you want to privatize SS?4 – Uhhh No he didn’t5 – It was a combined bill, and I agree with his vote.6 - False He didn't vote on the capital gains tax.

Quote:

Quote by: Stupid Email

Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not succeeded.

He is ranked as the most liberal Senator in the Senate today andthat takes some doing.

If your political choices are consistent with Barack Obama's and you thinkthat his positions will bring America together or make it a better place,then you will probably enjoy the ride and not forward this Email. If youare like most Americans that after examining what he stands for, are trulynot in line with his record, it would be prudent to get off the wave orbetter yet, never get on, before it comes on shore and undermines the veryfoundations of this great Country. We have limited time to save America orthe Supreme Court as we know it. Inaction is action.

If you agree this is important, pass it on. The mainstream media will notdo it for you!

1- no references, and um, Iraq is a huge quagmire and the "surge" is only working in the minds of the neocons.2- Ranked “most liberal” by Who? The unnamed author of this stupid email? It certainly doesn’t reflect in Obama’s voting record. If anything he is more moderate than some senators. I like how that part where it says “If you are like most Americans” Uhh in case you retards forgot, the Dems won huge victories in 2004. I don’t know where they get that “most Americans” BS from.

"So, you are saying if Obama had been able to vote for the Patriot Act, he would have and that it would be a good thing?

Rox"

No I am saying that the email accuses him of opposing the patriot act when in fact he didn't even vote on it. I don't have a problem with him opposing the "Patriot" act either. Language like that makes it so that if you are against it -somehow you are unpatriotic. Which of course, is bullshit.

http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/

Thanks for at least providing a source on who "voted the most liberal senator" - this internal vote is utterly meaningless however.

I don't think you did very well refuting the email. Basically a rah rah thing. I would like to know the truth and why I ran across your site.

Whether he voted for it or not, no doubt about it the Patriot act was a good thing and necessary. If it was in place before 9/11 we would have over 3,000 Americans alive today.

The fact that you are riding the fence on the patriot act just tells me you are brainwashed. And I suspect those that support Obama is in your camp as well... want to hear a good story that makes them feel all good inside instead of looking for a leader that will do the right thing during tough times.

It's so easy to paint a pretty picture, after being protected for so many years you take it for granted, and then say, "Let's let criminals out of prison, don't scan anyone at the airport, and just have a loving happy life." Then a few years later be running in the street crying and screaming like a little girl wondering what happened.

I think you're very naive and hope those that support Obama are not doing so because he can give a good speech. There are too many good orators out there that will be on the bandwagon once they sense that is all it takes to be in congress or the White House. You are just giving them that fuel.

Yes I admit full guilt that the blog post was a quick rant, and was motivated solely by my eagerness to dispute the email. I rushed through the research, and had I spent more time on it, it would have been more thorough. Apologies.

Now to the context of your comment. I understand where you are coming from in wanting to fact check this. Like me, you probably received this email from a concerned friend or relative - a person who may or may not be ignorant to your political affiliation. I can tell you reached my blog from a Google Search of a quotation in the offending E mail. I thank you for taking the time to read and at least post a comment.

I am not saying I disagree with the Patriot Act 100%. I am saying that the Patriot Act was a clear example of diversion politics. While the nation was attacked on Sept. 11th, it was a perfect opportunity for legislators to usher through very quickly a piece of legislation that limits the very freedoms guaranteed in the constitution, set forth by the founding fathers. The very name is misleading and malicious. That if you were against the "Patriot Act" that you were somehow unpatriotic. This mentality is a dangerous slippery slope that leads to fascism. If you don't wave the flag enough or stand up to sing "God Bless America" you may find yourself in prision or somewhere worse. I only hope to raise consciousness about how this country has took a turn for the worse under the guise of "fighting terrorism" never-minding how the terrorism spawned up in the first place.

The underlying point is, that this email, is malicious It is an attempt to smear Obama, by publishing and propagating myths, un-truths, and half-truths. Obama did not vote against the Patriot Act this is a fact. There is no reference to his being against the Patriot Act, and even if he was, it would only strengthen my support of him. He did not vote against the banning of Partial Birth Abortion, this is a fact and the email does not provide any evidence whatsoever of his even being in favor of partial birth abortion.

Those consciousness raising points were the only points I was trying to make, although rather hastily, in this blog post.